Iran doesn’t have ‘kamikaze dolphins,’ Hegseth says. But marine mammals have a long history of military use

A US Navy trained dolphin named Ten, seen above, discovered a 1800's era torpedo in San Diego Bay. Don Bartletti | Los Angeles Times | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday shut down the idea that Iran could weaponize marine mammals in the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran continues as he fielded a question about the potential use of "kamikaze dolphins." Experts say the idea isn't as far-fetched as it may seem. Several countries, including the U.S., have a history of using dolphins in conflict areas, though not as weapons. "I cannot confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm they don't," Hegseth said at the briefing . Hegseth's comments came in response to news reports about the possibility. The Wall Street Journal reported April 30 that Iranian officials had said Iran could use "mine-carrying dolphins" to attack U.S. warships. It is not clear whether Iran has that capability. The term "kamikaze" was popularized during World War II for pilots flying suicide missions into their targets. The U.S. Navy Office of Information declined to comment further, referring CNBC to Hegseth's Tuesday briefing. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked during the war, and on Sunday, President Donald Trump announced " Project Freedom ," an operation to free ships stranded in the strait since the onset of the conflict. Hegseth characterized the new mission as "separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury," the war the U.S. and Israel began waging Feb. …